Best Dispersed Camping near Montague, NJ

The Montague, New Jersey area features primarily dispersed camping options within a tri-state region that includes portions of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Campers will find primitive sites along the Appalachian Trail, including the Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 near Columbia, NJ, which serves as one of the few authorized camping locations within Worthington State Forest. Within an hour's drive, additional dispersed camping can be found at locations like Hickok Brook in New York, which offers lakeside tent sites, and Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed, popular among rock climbers visiting "the Gunks." Most sites in this region are hike-in or walk-in only, with limited drive-in options available at Thunder Swamp Trailhead and Russell Brook Road.

Rough access roads with significant potholes limit vehicle types at many locations, with high-clearance vehicles recommended for reaching trailheads. As one camper noted about Hickok Brook, "The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping." Water availability varies significantly between sites, with many requiring campers to pack in their own supply. The Appalachian Trail site has "no water nearby," according to reviewers, who recommend "stocking up at Dunnfield Creek natural area or waiting until Sunfish Pond." Permits are required for camping on New York state land, with rangers enforcing designated camping areas. Most dispersed sites follow Leave No Trace principles and require camping at least 150 feet from trails.

Campers consistently mention limited amenities as a defining characteristic of the region. Hemlock Ridge MUA is described as having "absolutely no amenities whatsoever and barely even a signal," but visitors appreciate that "it's quiet and off the beaten path." Small parking areas are common, with Hemlock Ridge accommodating only "4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight." Sites along the Appalachian Trail provide bear boxes and good hammocking trees but prohibit ground fires. Insect activity can be significant, with one reviewer noting "bugs are relentless" at certain locations. Despite these limitations, the region offers solitude and natural beauty, with opportunities for hiking to scenic destinations like Tabletop and Peekamoose Mountain from Denning Trailhead.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Montague, New Jersey (6)

    1. Hickok Brook

    2 Reviews
    Barryville, NY
    14 miles

    "I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must."

    "Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county."

    2. Thunder Swamp Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Unity House, PA
    18 miles

    "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh."

    "Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

    3. Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    2 Reviews
    Shawnee on Delaware, PA
    26 miles
    Website

    "I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre."

    "We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!"

    4. Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Plattekill, NY
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3000

    "If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path."

    5. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    1 Review
    Claryville, NY
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "Great camping spots about 1.5 mile hike in from Denning Trailhead. A lot of spots right by the river. Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/ peekamoose mountain."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Montague, NJ

7 Reviews of 6 Montague Campgrounds


  • R
    Jul. 12, 2017

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Small but kind of your only option

    I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre. Also it's a little on the small and sloped side for tent camping, but I was in a hammock and it was a great place for that!

    That being said, as you enter the Worthington State Forest there are signs and hand painted maps indicating that this is the only place you can sleep in the forest. So if this is your timing, this is where you'll be sleeping! The site itself is unmarked when you come to it, but it's the only pretty obvious camping spot on the trail so it's not hard to find.

    Stock up on water at the Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond. There are lots of signs around Sunfish pond itself that there's no camping allowed.

  • Corey
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites

    I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly.

  • Cory D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    A place to sleep near the gunks

    This isn't a fancy campsite and has no amenities. There is a small(10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest. Camping is allowed anywhere 150ft from the trail. Normal LNT rules apply. Bugs are relentless. Many climbers stay there for access to the gunks.

  • Dawn M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    Pretty cool

    If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path. The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight. There’s no spectacular mountain views from above, but rather a quiet peaceful wooded area & although I only seen/stayed at one camping spot which is literally at about the required 150ft from the road, you can set up your own camp anywhere. I was the only one here & it was a very peaceful & relaxing night

  • Katharine T.
    May. 31, 2022

    Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

    Perfect balance of community and space

    We stayed here during our section hike through the DWG on the AT. There’s plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. We’ll maintained w bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking. We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Small, don't blink you'll miss it.

    There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY. Really is a nice quiet place. It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area. Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county.

  • Ali B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    Dispersed primitive camping

    Great camping spots about 1.5 mile hike in from Denning Trailhead. A lot of spots right by the river. Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/ peekamoose mountain. (near the top of tabletop there is also a lean-to for camping).


Guide to Montague

Montague, New Jersey sits at the junction of three states where the Delaware River forms natural boundaries between New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. This tri-state region features primitive camping opportunities throughout the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and surrounding state forests. Elevations range from 300 to 1,800 feet with mixed hardwood forests dominating the landscape. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making most dispersed camping seasonal from April through October.

What to do

Hiking to scenic spots: From Denning Trailhead, campers can access trails leading to Catskill high peaks. "Great camping spots about 1.5 mile hike in from Denning Trailhead. A lot of spots right by the river. Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/peekamoose mountain," notes reviewer Ali B. about Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping.

Overnight parking at trailheads: Thunder Swamp Trailhead provides basic overnight parking for hikers. "Trailhead parking was chill for a night. No trouble. Tons of hiking. Went down Saw Creek trail to a marsh," explains Jason R. about his experience at Thunder Swamp Trailhead.

Hammock camping: Many sites in the region have suitable trees for hammock setups. At Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2, Katharine T. reports, "We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. Well maintained with bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking."

What campers like

Access to climbing areas: Rock climbers frequent primitive camping sites near popular climbing destinations. Cory D. notes that Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed has "no amenities. There is a small(10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest. Camping is allowed anywhere 150ft from the trail. Normal LNT rules apply. Many climbers stay there for access to the gunks."

Secluded waterside sites: Several primitive camping locations offer spots near water bodies. At Hickok Brook, Gregg T. explains his experience: "There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... Really is a nice quiet place."

Balance of community and privacy: Some sites allow for both social and private camping experiences. Katharine T. describes Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2 as offering a "perfect balance of community and space" during her section hike through the Delaware Water Gap.

What you should know

Permit requirements: Camping regulations vary by state and land management agency. Gregg T. learned this at Hickok Brook: "Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county."

Rough access roads: Many sites have challenging approach roads. Corey at Hickok Brook advises, "The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere."

Limited parking capacity: Most primitive sites have minimal parking. Dawn M. points out that at Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed, "The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight. There's no spectacular mountain views from above, but rather a quiet peaceful wooded area."

Tips for camping with families

Water planning: Many primitive sites near Montague lack water sources. Renee Z. advises about Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2: "I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby. Stock up on water at the Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond."

Bear safety precautions: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. At Appalachian Trail Designated Backpacker Campsite 2, Katharine T. noted the campsite was "well maintained with bear boxes provided."

Insect protection: Bug activity can be intense at many sites. Cory D. warns about Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed camping that "bugs are relentless."

Tips from RVers

Small vehicle camping only: Most dispersed areas around Montague cannot accommodate large RVs. Benjamin H. describes Thunder Swamp Trailhead as "a gravel parking lot. Plenty of shade. No one bothered me."

Limited vehicle accessibility: Many locations are either walk-in only or restricted to high-clearance vehicles. Corey explains about Hickok Brook: "I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must."

Self-contained requirements: With no facilities at most sites, RVers must be fully self-sufficient. Dawn M. summarizes Hemlock Ridge MUA: "There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever and barely even a signal here, but it's quiet and off the beaten path."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Montague, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Montague, NJ is Hickok Brook with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Montague, NJ?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Montague, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.